Inclusive Innovation Holds Key to Nigeria’s Infrastructure Breakthrough — Engineers

The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), Nigeria Section, has underscored the importance of integration, innovation, and inclusivity in solving Nigeria’s deep-rooted infrastructure challenges.

This was the central message from the 2025 Global Sustainable Infrastructure Conference, which convened in Lagos with the theme: “Integrated Approaches to Sustainable Infrastructure Planning and Delivery.” The landmark event brought together global experts, policymakers, development partners, and engineers to chart a more sustainable infrastructure path for Nigeria and other developing economies.

ASCE President, Dr. Feniosky Peña-Mora, in his keynote, emphasized that modern infrastructure must be not only sustainable and resilient but also inclusive and cost-effective. He called for engineers to embrace a systems-thinking approach and consider infrastructure’s social, environmental, and economic impact.

“Sustainability, resilience, and cost-effectiveness are not separate goals. They are interconnected,” Peña-Mora said. “Nigeria is demonstrating how infrastructure can be climate-smart and community-driven.”

He urged stakeholders to build collaborative bridges between policy, implementation, civil society, and generational engineering talents.

Director-General of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), Dr. Jobson Ewalefoh, echoed this sentiment. He warned that siloed infrastructure projects can no longer serve Nigeria’s developmental goals. He referenced the 23-year National Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan, which demands a $2.3 trillion investment, urging the adoption of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) as more than funding tools—but engines of sustainable transformation.

“Integrated infrastructure must connect farms to markets, and empower youth through digital access,” Ewalefoh said. “Sustainability is not just environmental; it must be social and institutional.”

Engr. Austin Odibi, ASCE Nigeria Section President, challenged participants to take immediate action, saying the conference was not just a platform for ideas, but a call to action for the engineering profession.

Sessions spotlighted key areas for transformation, including modular construction, materials innovation, digital planning tools, and circular economy principles.

Other international participants—including ASCE Executive Director Thomas Smith III, Region 10 Director April Jane Lander, and Global Programs Manager Nives McLarty—praised Nigeria’s engineers for their forward-thinking approaches and commitment to resilience in the face of infrastructure gaps.